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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Fraud email example:

From: "Sadou K. Hamal" <sadoukh@latinmail.com> (may be fake)
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 20:51:00 +0100
Subject: Hopefully On You

My Warm Greetings,

It is my pleasure contacting you for the investment I intended to do in your
country. My name is Sadou K. Hamal, 25 years old. Though I have not met you
before but I think I have to risk confiding in you for my survival, and I have
the conviction to trust in you.

There is this huge amount of Eighteen million U.S dollars ($18m) my late Father
kept for me and my late mother in a Deposit House before unknown people
assassinated him. Unfortunately, my mother also was murdered after some months
later. Then, I left and took refuge. Now, I decided to invest this fund in your
country or anywhere safe enough outside Africa for security and political
reasons.

I am appealing for your help to transfer and invest the fund in a profitable
business your country. While in your country, I will be furthering my education,
and then you will be managing the investment. I want to give you 25% of the
total sum for your help.

Greet your family for me.
Sincerely Yours,
Sadou


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